A Pictorial Booklet on Early Jamestown Commodities and Industries Part 6

Many tools similar to those in the 1685 engraving have been unearthed at Jamestown.

From _Orbis Sensualium Pictus_ by Johann Comenius (London, 1685).]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Carriages. _Vehicula_:

We are carried on a Sled 1, over Snow, and Ice. A Carriage with one Wheel is called a Wheel-barrow; 2, with two Wheels a Cart; 3, with four Wheels a Wagon, which is either a Timber-wagon 4, or a Load-wagon 5. The parts of a Wagon, are, the Neep, (or draught-tree,) 6, the Beam 7, the Bottom 8, and the Sides 9, 10. Then the Axle-trees 10, about which the Wheels run the Lin-Pins 11, and Axletree-staves 12, being fastened before them. The Nave 13, is the ground-fast of the Wheel 14, from which com twelve Spokes; 15. The Ring encompa.s.seth these, which is made of six Fellows 16, and as many Strakes 17, Hampiers, & Hurdles 18, are set in a Wagon.

Courtesy Folger Shakespeare Library, Was.h.i.+ngton, D. C.

Seventeenth Century Carriages

Wheeled vehicles used at Jamestown 300 years ago were probably similar in appearance to the ones shown in the 1685 engraving. A wheelbarrow, cart, timber wagon, load wagon, and sled are ill.u.s.trated.

From _Orbis Sensualium Pictus_ by Johann Comenius (London, 1685).]

Spinning

[Ill.u.s.tration: Spinning

Line and Hemp, being rated in water, and dried again 1, are braked with a wooden Brake 2, where the s.h.i.+ves 3, fall down, then they are heckled with an Iron Heckle 4, where the Tow 5, is parted from it. Flax is tied to a Distaff 6, by the Spinster 7, which with her left hand pulleth out the Thred 8, and with her righte hand turneth a Wheel 9, or a Spindle 10, upon which is a Wharl 11. The Spool receiveth the Thred 13, which is drawn thence upon a Yarn-windle; 14, hence either Clewes 15, are wound up, or Hanks 16, are made.

Courtesy Folger Shakespeare Library, Was.h.i.+ngton, D. C.

Making Linen Thread

The various steps depicted in the making of linen thread were used at Jamestown during the seventeenth century.

From _Orbis Sensualium Pictus_ by Johann Comenius (London, 1685). ]

Bread-Baking

[Ill.u.s.tration: Bread-Baking.

The Baker 1, sifteth the Meal in a Rindge 2, and putteth it into the Kneading-trough 3. Then he powreth water to it, and maketh Dough 4, and kneadeth it with a wooden slice 5. Then he maketh Loaves 6, Cakes 7, Cimnels 8, Rolls 9. &c. Afterwards he setteth them on a Peel 10, and putteth them thorow ye Oven-mouth 12, into the Oven 11. But first he pulleth out the fire, and the coals with a Coal-rake 13, which he layeth on a heap underneath 14. And thus is Bread baked, having the Crust without 15, and ye Crumb within 16.

Courtesy Folger Shakespeare Library, Was.h.i.+ngton, D. C.

Baking Bread In 1685

The seventeenth century engraving shows how bread was baked almost 300 years ago.

From _Orbis Sensualium Pictus_ by Johann Comenius (London, 1685).]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Photo courtesy National Park Service._ Baking Oven Used At Jamestown Three Centuries Ago The earthenware baking oven shown was restored from over 200 fragments found during archeological excavations at Jamestown. In use, heated stones were placed inside and left until the walls of the oven were hot enough for baking. Sometimes the oven was placed directly on the embers.

With the small thick door in place, heat was retained for considerable time--the domed top reflecting the heat down on the bread or cakes that were being baked.]

"Harvesting" Ice

[Ill.u.s.tration: Research on painting by author. Photo courtesy National Park Service.

"Harvesting" Ice At Jamestown About 1640

_Conjectural Painting_

Although not a commodity in the strict sense of the word, an icehouse was indispensable in preserving certain products. Archeological explorations at Jamestown revealed that icehouses were built on the island over 300 years ago. Ice was "harvested" during the winter months, and often remained in storage as late as September or October. It was used for cooling bottled wines, "firming" b.u.t.ter, and keeping fresh certain foods, such as fish, meats, and dairy products. In the ill.u.s.tration men are carrying ice to the circular-shaped, brick, icehouse. In the distance a man is sawing ice.]

A Happy Home In Jamestown

[Ill.u.s.tration: Research on painting by author. Photo courtesy National Park Service.

A Happy Home In Jamestown _Conjectural Painting_ The early Jamestown settlers were self-sufficient to a large degree when they arrived in the New World, and so they remained. Cut off from communication with the mother country for long periods of time, they had to rely upon their own resources. If they needed a thing they usually had to make it with their own hands or do without. These homemade objects--including cloth, pottery, tools, woodenware, furniture, brick and tiles, and many household accessories--were well-made and extremely practical. Many items made in the home were not entirely lacking in beauty.]

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bailey, Worth. "Joseph Copeland, Seventeenth Century Pewterer."

_Antiques_, April, 1938. 188-190.

----"Lime preparation at Jamestown in the Seventeenth Century."

_William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine_, 2nd series. January, 1938. 1-12.

Bruce, Philip Alexander. _Economic History of Virginia in the Seventeenth Century._ New York, 1935. 2 vols.

Forman, Henry Chandlee. _Jamestown and St. Mary's: Buried Cities of Romance._ Baltimore, 1938.

Harrington, J. C. _Gla.s.smaking at Jamestown._ Richmond, 1952. 48 p.

----"Seventeenth-Century Brickmaking and Tilemaking at Jamestown, Virginia." _The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography_, January, 1950. 16-39.

----"Some Delft Tiles Found at Jamestown." _Antiques_, January, 1951. 36, 37.